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Anderson leaves Friday's game with sprained ankle

4/19/13: A's starter Brett Anderson appears to stumble in the first inning and is later removed from the game with a sprained ankle

By Jim Hawkins
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Special to MLB.com |

ST. PETERSBURG -- Injury-plagued Brett Anderson, who has been limited to 41 starts for the A's since 2009 due to four stints on the disabled list, was forced to leave Friday night's 8-3 loss against Tampa Bay after the first inning because of a sprained right ankle.

"It's disheartening to go out there and throw one inning and put your bullpen in jeopardy for the rest of the road trip," said Anderson.

A's manager Bob Melvin said after the game that he doesn't know whether Anderson will be able to make his next start.

Anderson struggled throughout the first inning, surrendering four runs on four hits and two walks as the Rays sent nine men to the plate. It was not immediately known on which play Anderson was injured, or how long he might be sidelined.

Anderson, who underwent Tommy John surgery on July 14, 2011, and missed more than a year, was 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA going into Friday's game.

Anderson was 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA during his rookie season of 2009, setting an A's rookie record and leading all Major League rookies with 150 strikeouts.

Jim Hawkins is a contributor to MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.